Pinner's Martin Gould maintains belief he can shine at the Crucible despite knowing he will fail to progress to to play in week two of the World Snooker Championship after seven attempts.

The 34-year-old looked on course to knock out former world No1 Ding Junhui when he led 8-6 before the Chinese star rallied to win 10-8.

Though Gould has enjoyed a supreme season, winning the German Masters, reaching the final of the Australian Open and progressing to two other ranking quarter-finals he goes home from Sheffield knowing he has only ever won two matches at the home of snooker.

But the world No12 is determined to continue to return until he can do himself justice.

“I know my game is capable,” said Gould.

“If I didn't believe in myself I wouldn't play any more, because there is no point in making up the numbers.

“I'm here to win tournaments and if I'm not winning tournaments I'm not happy, so it's back on the practice table to make sure my game is in good shape.

“We're all human, we all lose a few matches along the way. But I'm delighted with the season.

“I got myself back into the top 16, pushing the top 10 and the top eight. I got into three finals and a couple of quarters.

“If I can't take a positive from that I might as well put my cue away and never play again. There is a lot to work with for next season and push myself further up the rankings.

“For someone reason I tend to play good snooker here, but there is someone up there telling me it is not my time to go any further.

“Some people have venues they love playing at but this is not my best place at the moment. I always enjoy coming here. The fans are fantastic, it's the home of snooker and I can't wait to keep coming back.”

Ding had made a storming start to the first session, with breaks of 90, 110, 54 and 87 pushing him 4-1 ahead.

But Gould had clawed the score back to 5-4 by the conclusion of the session an eye-catching break of 111 showing the full depth of the Pinner Potter's ability.

Gould stood toe to toe with his opponent in Wednesday evening's second session and moved 8-6 in front when he followed up a break of 96 by pinching frame 14 after Ding had made 65.

Just at the right time though, Ding turned up the heat.

Breaks of 132, 86 and 100 moved him to within one of the victory line.

Frame 18 went to the wire, the players tied on 48 points with blue, pink and black left on the table.

But it was Ding who held his nerve to make it four on the spin.

“Even though Ding is not in the top 16 at the moment, he's really a top eight, maybe even a top four player,” added Gould.

“He's got that capability of turning it on when his back is against the wall.

“At 8-7 I should have gone 9-7 up, but I made a couple of silly errors. He made a good break to go 8-8 and the punishment was when he made a fluke in the following frame and made a century from it.

“It's a hard one to take but I played, not quite my best, but well enough to push him. All in all I can't be too disheartened, I gave it my best it just wasn't good enough.”

Watch the World Championship LIVE on Eurosport, with Colin Murray and analysis from Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan.